The Trauma and Orthopaedic psychologist (0.1wte) provides a limited service to the Trauma and Orthopaedic multi-disciplinary teams.  Their focus is on patients, their families and carers who are coping with significant psychological distress associated with the adjustment to a Trauma and Orthopaedic condition/surgery.  Patients can also be referred to the service if they are experiencing flashbacks, nightmares or intrusive memories following a traumatic event, as well as fatality of others involved.

The psychologis offers a course of one-to-one therapy sessions either one-off or over a number of weeks.  Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) are the primary therapy of choice (as recommended by the NICE guidelines) for the treatment of trauma.  Through therapy, the psychologists help patients to find alternative perspectives to their condition and to enhance their coping strategies.  The aim is to increase patients' sense of mastery and control, and to enhance their problem-solving skills, so that they can manage their condition more effectively.

 

How to refer to the psychologist

Referral to the psychologist can be made through a number of routes.  For example, patients might be referred by their consultant or physiotherapist, or one of the nurses.

To contact the psychologist

or telephone: 08454 228109

Health Psychology Department

Beacon House

Gloucester Royal Hospital